online medical dictionary | definition of cryo

<prefix>

A combining form or prefix meaning relating to cold.

See: crymo-, psychro-.

Origin: G. Kryos

(05 Mar 2000)

The removal of a body part, such as a wart, by freezing.

(09 Oct 1997)

Localised application of cold as a means of producing regional anaesthesia.

Synonyms: refrigeration anaesthesia.

American spelling: cryoanesthesia

(05 Mar 2000)

<study>

The study of the effects of low temperatures on living organisms.

(09 Oct 1997)

The surgical destruction of tissue via the application of extreme cold, aswith liquid nitrogen.

(09 Oct 1997)

Freezing of a cone of endocervical tissue in vivo with a cryoprobe.

(05 Mar 2000)

Removal of cataracts by the adhesion of a freezing probe to the lens; now rarely done.

(05 Mar 2000)

An instrument, artificially cooled, for extraction of the lens by freezing contact.

(05 Mar 2000)

An abnormal type of fibrinogen very rarely found in human plasma; it is precipitated upon cooling, but redissolves when warmed to room temperature.

(05 Mar 2000)

The presence in the blood of cryofibrinogens.

American spelling: cryofibrinogenemia

(05 Mar 2000)

<procedure>

Fixation processes for microscopy carried out at low temperature to improve the quality of fixation. Often very low temperatures and fast cooling are used to prevent formation of ice crystals. Cooling rates of 10,000 degrees per minute may be used and liquid nitrogen or even liquid helium temperatures used. Especially for preparing specimens for scanning EM. Frequently no chemical treatment is used.

This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology

(11 Mar 2008)

1,2-Dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane;used as a refrigerant and aerosol propellant; may be irritating to the respiratory tract and mildly narcotic.

(05 Mar 2000)

A freezing substance used to produce very low temperatures.

(05 Mar 2000)

<radiobiology> Loosely, very cold. Used to describe systems at very low temperatures.

Superconducting magnetic field coils currently need to operate at cryogenic temperatures (for example, liquid helium at 4 Kelvin).

Origin: Gr. Gennan = to produce

(09 Oct 1997)

The science concerned with the production and effects of very low temperatures, particularly temperatures in the range of liquid helium (&lt;4.25 K).

Origin: cryo-+ G. -gen, producing

(05 Mar 2000)

<haematology> Abnormal plasma globulin (IgG or IgM) that precipitates when serum is cooled.

This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology

(11 Mar 2008)

A condition characterised by the presence of cryoglobulins in the blood. They are precipitated into the microvasculature on exposure to cold and cause restricted blood flow in exposed areas.

American spelling: cryoglobulinemia

(12 Dec 1998)

Abnormal plasma proteins (paraproteins), now grouped with gamma globulins, characterised by precipitating, gelling, or crystallizing when serum or solutions of them are cooled; distinguished from Bence Jones proteins by their larger molecular weight (approximately 200,000 compared with 35,000 to 50,000); they may appear in patients with multiple myeloma.

(05 Mar 2000)

A eutectic system of a salt and water.

(05 Mar 2000)

<procedure>

<surgery> Destruction of hypophysis by the application of extreme cold.

Origin: cryo-+ hypophysis + G. Ektome, excision

(05 Mar 2000)

Destruction by cold.

Origin: cryo-+ G. Lysis, dissolution

(05 Mar 2000)

<instrument>

A device for measuring very low temperatures.

Origin: cryo-+ G. Metron, measure

(05 Mar 2000)

Any of several medical techniques that use cold for therapeutic purposes, such as using ice to deaden pain.

(09 Oct 1997)

<procedure>

<surgery> Destruction of the globus pallidus by the application of extreme cold.

Origin: cryo-+ globus pallidus + G. Ektome, excision

(05 Mar 2000)

A morbid condition in which exposure to cold is an important factor.

Synonyms: frigorism.

Origin: cryo-+ G. Pathos, suffering

(05 Mar 2000)

<procedure>

In retinal detachment surgery, sealing the sensory retina to the pigment epithelium and choroid by a freezing probe applied to the sclera.

Origin: cryo-+ G. Pexis, a fixing in place

(05 Mar 2000)

Synonyms: crymophilic.

Origin: cryo-+ G. Philos, fond

(05 Mar 2000)

Thriving at very low temperatures.

(09 Oct 1997)

Preferred term: crymophylactic

<haematology> The precipitate that forms when plasma is frozen and then thawed, particularly rich in fibronectin and blood clotting Factor VIII.

This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology

(11 Mar 2008)

The process of forming a cryoprecipitate from solution.

(05 Mar 2000)

To preserve by freezing. Bone marrow harvested for an autologous BMT, for example: is cryopreserved.

(16 Dec 1997)

A surgical instrument used to apply extreme cold to tissues.

(09 Oct 1997)

<procedure>

<surgery> Destruction of the prostate gland by freezing, utilizing a specially designed cryoprobe.

Origin: cryo-+ L. Prostata, prostate, + G. Ektome, excision

(05 Mar 2000)

<cell biology> Substance that is used to protect from the effects of freezing, largely by preventing large ice crystals from forming. The two commonly used for freezing cells are DMSO or glycerol.

This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology

(11 Mar 2008)

Describes a substance which is able to protect the body or organic matter from being harmed by freezing.

(09 Oct 1997)

Substances capable of protecting against injury due to freezing, as glycerol protects frozen red blood cells.

(12 Dec 1998)

<protein>

Any protein that precipitates when blood is cooled.

(09 Oct 1997)

<procedure>

<surgery> Destruction of the pulvinar by the application of extreme cold.

Origin: cryo-+ pulvinar + G. Ektome, excision

(05 Mar 2000)

<instrument>

An instrument for measuring the freezing point.

(05 Mar 2000)

<procedure>

The determination of the freezing point of a fluid, usually blood or urine, compared with that of distilled water.

Synonyms: algoscopy.

Origin: cryo-+ G. Skopeo, to examine

(05 Mar 2000)

Spasm produced by cold.

Origin: cryo-+ G. Spasmos, convulsion

(05 Mar 2000)

A freezing chamber.

Origin: cryo-+ G. Statos, standing

(05 Mar 2000)

A surgical technique that utilises freezing tissue to remove unwanted portions.

(27 Sep 1997)

<procedure>

<surgery> Destruction of the thalamus by the application of extreme cold.

Origin: cryo-+ thalamus + G. Ektome, excision

(05 Mar 2000)

<procedure>

The therapeutic use of cold to reduce discomfort, limit progression of tissue oedema or break a cycle of muscle spasm. Cryotherapy is a form of counterirritation.

(16 Dec 1997)

Tolerant of very low temperatures.

(05 Mar 2000)

<procedure>

<surgery> The technique of using a cryostat or freezing microtome, in which the temperature is regulated to -20 degrees celsius, to cut ultrathin frozen sections for microscopic (usually, electron microscopic) examination.

(12 Dec 1998)